The issue was first reported by Scout.com and was the reason Shepard was scratched for SEC Media Day interviews last week in Hoover, Ala. He was replaced by senior offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert.

The sources confirmed the matter concerns Shepard moving into off-campus housing with his girlfriend, who is also a student worker in the football office. She has held the position since prior to Shepard's arrival at LSU in January 2009.

Shepard, a 6 feet 1, 188 pounds, lived on campus most of his first two seasons and moved during the spring, so it would not affect his eligibility for his first two seasons.

Shepard could possibly have to serve a school or NCAA-imposed suspension of practices or games. The Tigers' first game is against Oregon on Sept. 3 at the Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas.

LSU Coach Les Miles said Friday at the media day that he wasn't "overly concerned" with the matter. The sources said because of the recent ruling of probation and scholarship reductions by the NCAA and the Willie Lyles recruiting service questions, Shepard was held out of media activities by LSU officials out of caution.

Shepard is expected to be a starter at wide receiver this season. He caught 33 passes for 254 yards last season.